Sapporo to take stake in Pokka for $104 mln-Nikkei

TOKYO, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Japanese brewery Sapporo Holdings Ltd (2501.T) plans to acquire a 20 percent stake in unlisted beverage maker Pokka for nearly 10 billion yen ($104 million), aiming to seek growth in the soft drink market as beer demand in the country shrinks, the Nikkei business daily said on Wednesday.

That would be the latest reshuffle in Japan's beverage industry. Beer makers Kirin Holdings (2503.T) and Suntory Holdings are in talks to merge.

Through the deal, Sapporo will form a three-way tie-up with existing Pokka shareholder Meiji Holdings (2269.T), a food and drinks maker to cooperate in development and mutual supply of their products, the Nikkei said.

Sapporo said in a statement that it has not made such a decision.

Sapporo will buy the 20 percent stake from investment fund Advantage Partners and other Pokka shareholders, the Nikkei said.

U.S. activist fund Steel Partners is Sapporo's biggest shareholder. (Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)